Dated: 02 April 2009

Conquering, not saving, the world

McKinsey , the consultancy group has estimated that China's car market will grow tenfold between 2005 and 2030. This increase will drive up demand for diesel and petrol from 110 million tonnes to 500 million tonnes. This will mean a significant rise in carbon emissions from a country that has already overtaken the US as the world's biggest source of greenhouse gases.

As BYD auto launches the E6 electric car, one of chinas first mass produced electric sedans in 2009, it will be trying to make money rather than save the planet but with the growth of the car market in china and the increasing demand for petrol the two goals are likely to become further intertwined. Under currently in development in Shenzhen, the E-6 plug in could become a front runner in BYD Autos plans to dominate the clean transport market.

With an ability to travel 400km on a single charge and reach a top speed of 160km/h the 5 seater sedan is designed to be an “electric car that people can use like a normal car," says Henry Li, the head of BYD Auto's export and trade division who added. "We are not trying to save the world, we are making money. Our strategy aims to give value to shareholders. If we can help the planet at the same time, all the better."